Tiered wireless, multi-modal access system and method

ABSTRACT

A wireless, multi-modal access device and system adapted to integrate a number of communications networks operating in differing communication modes to facilitate transfer of communication links during a communication session to promote efficient use of the communication networks. The system includes a plurality of Universal Multi-Modal Access Devices UMMAD that are capable of operating at different frequencies and different protocols (TDMA, AMPS, CDMA, GSM, PCS etc) to communicate with any one of a number of Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG), which are each capable of communication using one or more of the protocols. The communication links may be switched from one WBG to another or from one protocol to another during a communication session to continue the session under the control of a Universal System Traffic Controller. Numerous other applications of the UMMADs for unique identification and e-commerce are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of wireless communication and moreparticularly to methods and apparatus relating to wireless access totelecommunication infrastructure and services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For a number of years, telecommunication systems have been evolving froma vast array of disparate independent networks into a singleinterconnected telecommunication grid including one way and two waysystems such as public telephone systems, private PBS systems, cablenetworks, internet trunklines, local area networks, broad area networksand many types of wireless systems including specialized microwave,satellite, cellular, PCS, Specialized Radio, television, radio, etc. Theisolation of these systems one from another is disappearing as thebroadcast television signals are now offered over cable and satellitelinks, telephone connections are made over the internet, most local andbroad area networks are connected via modems to public telephonenetworks and to the internet, cable systems are providing telephone andinternet connections, the internet is supplying radio, telephone andother supplemental telecommunication services. The type of informationflowing over this grid includes various types of voice/music (in bothanalog and digital form) data including numeric, textual and graphic(again in both analog and digital form). Traditional distinctionsbetween these systems and the distinction in type of informationconveyed is also disappearing. For example, two way interactive terminalboxes are converting conventional cable TV systems into gateways to theinternet and alternatives to telephone and other two way communicationsystems.

Integrative technologies have become available that will allow users, ofcertain types of wireless networks, automated access to any one of theavailable wireless services without requiring conscious effort by theuser. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,985 describes an omni-modalwireless access device that allows automated access to any one wirelessnetwork based on a user programmed criteria for selecting the servicethat best meets the user's needs. The concepts disclosed in the '621patent are being broadly adopted in modern cellular handsets commonlyreferred to as multi-mode, multi-band phones because they are able toaccess anyone of a plurality of available wireless networks usingdifferent frequencies (multi-band) and different communication protocols(multi-mode-AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, etc.). Most of these types of phonescan be set to operate in an automated mode in which it willautomatically search among the available wireless network for the onethat best meets a pre-programmed criteria entered by the user into thehandset, such as a priority list instructing the handset, when serviceis requested by the user, to search among the available wirelessnetworks for the network that appears highest on a prioritized list ofnetworks created by the user and to access that network.

Re-allocation of scarce radio spectrum through reassignment of wirelessusers to disparate systems has been suggested but will require the wideadoption of omni-modal wireless access devices of the type described inthe '985 patent. Automated re-allocation is described in a separatepatent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,621) granted to the same assignee as thisinvention and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,633 and issued toTelefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson. Such access devices and spectrumsharing methods will have the effect of further integrating thetelecommunication infrastructure that links humans to one another and tosources of information, entertainment and various goods and services. Atthe same time, this integrative technology will greatly expand thecapacity of the radio spectrum to handle the ever growing demand forinformation flow over the finite radio spectrum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While the '621 and '985 patents disclose concepts that provide somesimplification in accessing certain telecommunication services, theconcepts disclosed in these patents do not go far enough in making theentire range of telecommunications systems and services available with aminimum of effort nor do these systems and methods provide for automatedtechniques for assuring that all communications (whether voice or dataor whether landline or wireless) are provided in a manner that bestmeets the functional desires of the user such as highest speed, highestclarity, highest security, least cost, least likelihood of interruption,or other qualities or a combination of such qualities. Therefore, anurgent need exists for technology that will facilitate ease ofcommunication, over the world wide telecommunication grid includingnetworks not yet fully integrated, that best meets the needs of the userfor the fastest, least expensive and most reliable service.

Moreover, the integrative technologies of the '621 and '985 patents dolittle to solve an extremely critical problem associated with realizingthe full potential of modern telecommunications which is the ability toefficiently and automatically identify an individual seeking access orservice over the world wide telecommunications grid. This problem isaddressed by another feature of this invention by which uniqueidentification of an individual is facilitated by providing automatedunique identification which is also highly secure in that it affordslittle chance for unauthorized or fraudulent misuse of the system whilealso placing the user in full control of the process to avoid misuse byothers such as governmental agencies that might abuse the user's rightof privacy. Thus, an urgent need also exists for technology thatfacilitates unique identification of individuals who have acquired (orare seeking) access to the telecommunication grid. Only by providingunique identification in a manner than substantially eliminates thepotential for unauthorized or fraudulent access can the full potentialof important parts of the world wide telecommunications grid berealized, such as the full potential of the internet and e-commerce.

Among others, an important general aspect of this invention is toovercome the deficiencies of the prior art by providing cradle to grave,anytime/anywhere interlinking of human consciousness via means whichmaintains and respects the right of privacy of every human being toremain unique and capable of exercising free will including the freedomof thought. More particularly, an important aspect of this invention isto facilitate interlinking of human consciousness via a system thatprovides the user with the greatest possible interconnectedness with allother humans and with all electronically accessible knowledge withoutcompromising the uniqueness, right of privacy, freedom of thought andfree will of the user.

Another important feature of this invention will be to automate theprocess of uniquely identifying a human being to facilitate accessingthe interlinked telecommunication grid over which human beings andorganizations communicate for any purpose but particularly for securingservices such as voice communication, information, entertainment, andespecially financial transactions.

Still another aspect of the subject invention is to provide universalaccess to all available systems to allow the most economically desirableallocation of infrastructure resources and to allow automation of thelog-on procedures and of procedures for transferring the communicationlink/service/network to achieve the most efficient allocation of scarceradio spectrum. More particularly, it is an object of the subjectinvention to provide a system and method, including a business method,that is designed to harness market driven competition to promoteinnovation in telecommunication technology by granting ready access tothe world wide telecommunications grid through efficient reallocation ofscarce radio spectrum, automated unique identification of individuals,improved security and reliability of data and voice transmission, andreduced cost through greater competition and ease of introduction of newtechnologies.

Still another objective of this invention is to provide a personallyactivatable multi-modal, portable access device (which can be denoted aUniversal Multi-Modal Access Device; UMMAD) which has the ability toprovide omni-modal access to a broad range of wireless service networkssuch as those disclosed in the '985 patent or any other wireless servicethat may be available at a given location. Among the omni-modalcapabilities of the UMMAD would be to form a wireless bridge from asubscriber to one of an array of transceiver base stations including allof the functional characteristics of a typical cellular system, fixedsite base station that is dedicated to a single system but modified withaugmented functionality allowing the station to provide a wide bandwidthgateway to telecommunications services via a short range, low powerwireless signal link similar to that of a cordless telephone. Such basestations, with augmented functionality, would form a wide bandwidthgateway (WBG) to provide connections with the internet, PTSN, cableservices, and other types of communication networks. One type ofparticularly desirable low power wireless link for a UMMAD would be awireless transceiver operating in a accordance with the BLUETOOTHprotocol (disclosed at www.bluetooth.com) for wireless communication ofdata and voice. Any other type of low power, short range wirelesscommunication link would also be suitable.

It is still another feature of this invention to provide anauto-reconfigurable transceiver, such as a wide band gateway (WBG) thatcan respond to a request for service from a UMMAD within its limitedservice area by sending a request for linkage over its landlineconnection to the requested service provider and by establishing a localwireless communication channel that is both available and compatiblewith the capability of the UMMAD to interact with the WBG as necessaryto provide to the user the requested service. In this configuration theWBG would operate much like a wall mounted cordless telephone unit byextending a communication link to the UMMAD over a communication channeldetermined to be available at extremely low power and using a protocolthat is both consistent with the service requested and consistent withthe capability of the UMMAD to interact with the WBG. As the UMMAD ismoved about or as the communication channel established by the WBG is nolonger operable (due to movement of the UMMAD out of range of the WBG orbecause the assigned channel is otherwise necessary for optimal serviceto another UMMAD user within the service area of the WBG), the wirelesscommunication link would be handed off to another WBG or to a higherlevel wireless service station having an overlapping service area. Thisfeature illustrates the advantage of equipping wireless service userswith UMMAD type portable access devices since the interlinkage ofwireless service users within a given geographic location would greatlyfacilitate the optimal use of the available radio spectrum and wouldfurther facilitate optimal re-allocation of scarce radio spectrum toproduce the optimal level of service to the greatest number of users.

Still another feature of the subject invention is to provide varioustiers of wireless service within a given geographic area such that eachtier is characterized by ever greater geographic coverage so that thefirst tier would provide wireless service to the greatest geographicarea and the last tier would provide wireless service to the smallestgeographic area.

A more specific objective of this invention is to provide a wirelesscommunication system characterized by the ability to reconnect a lostwireless connection. For example in a multi-tiered system, a wirelessconnection provided, for example within one tier, could have associatedwith it another WBG in the same or another level tier as an alternativesuch that upon loss of the wireless link, the user would beautomatically shifted to a substitute wireless link via an alternativecommunication service that will have the capacity to re-establish thelost connection by (a) finding the location of the user whose call waslost, and (b) re-establishing the last connection to that UMMADautomatically through an alternative communication channel providingwireless service to the same geographic area in which the user islocated. In a multi-tier system serving a population of UMMAD users,each UMMAD would be capable of interacting with any one of the tierswithin a given geographic area and would be automatically transferableeither within a tier or from tier to tier depending on changes in thecommunication link (caused, for example by movement of the user orchanges in the pattern of interference affecting the communication link)or re-allocation of the communication links to bring about a moreoptimal utilization of the communication networks for the greatestnumber of users.

A still more specific object of the subject invention is to provide awireless communication system including WBG's as described above tocreate gateways to any available communication service wherein each WBGwould be linked by an extremely broadband connection, such as a fiberoptic cable to any communication system. Each WBG would be provided withwireless communication capability to reach all UMMAD's that may bewithin operative range of the WBG. With this arrangement, the variousUMMAD's could be directed to communicate over the channel that providesthe desired service using the most effective communication protocol viathe lowest possible tier capable of completing the link to a UMMAD whichin turn is capable of providing the service desired by the UMMAD user.Alternatively, the wireless communication system could use a WBG at ahigher tier because that WBG is better suited to provide the type ofservice (most secure, highest quality, lowest price, strongest strengthsignal, least likely to be interrupted, etc.). Examples of the type ofservice that could be made available to an UMMAD over a wirelesscommunication link from a WBG would be telephone communication, internetconnection, broadcast television, cable television, radio, weather,news, sports information, airline schedules and other types ofvideo/audio signals.

Another important aspect of this invention in terms of achieving itsfull potential is its ability to greatly simplify location and uniqueidentification of individuals to allow quicker, less complicated accessto electronically available services of all types. This improvementwould employ a unique combination of identifiers of individual users ofboth a “passive” type and an “active” type.

A more specific object of the subject invention is to provide methodsand apparatus for uniquely identifying individuals, by a “PassiveIdentification” PI combined with an “Active Identification” AI. PIrelies upon the fact that a human is uniquely identified by his geneticmake up which may be directly measured (e.g. through DNA testing) orwhich is reflected in unique, measurable characteristics such as retinaprints, finger prints, and other physical/functional characteristicswhich may be altered only with great difficulty or not at all. This typeof unique human quality can be considered a “passive identifier” sinceno evidence of consciousness or free will is required for the humanidentifier to be measured. AI relies upon the fact that a human alsopossesses a sense of separateness or consciousness that separates himfrom all other humans. This characteristic finds expression in freedomof thought and in the exercise of free will which can be employed forunique identification but it requires an act of will on the part of theindividual e.g., the individual is required to produce a PIN or issue avoice command. Thus this s type of identification can be considered anactive identifier i.e. it requires an active expression of will on thepart of the human being identified.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide UMMAD's that areequipped with a PI in the form of a DNA sensor for identifying, insubstantially real time, the identity of an individual. The sensor couldtake a variety of forms such as forming part of the UMMAD so that theUMMAD would not activate unless held by the person whose DNA is sensedby a sensor made part of the UMMAD. Alternatively, the DNA sensor couldbe made part of an implantable sensor that is capable of communicatingwith the UMMAD through electrodes, active signal, passive transpondertechnology or identification could occur by secondary DNA determinedtests such as finger print sensing, retina scans; or other uniquephysical identification of the individual.

Yet another aspect of the subject invention is to provide a portabledevice such as a UMMAD having the capacity to become activated only whena user provides it with his unique “Passive Identifier” (PI) and his“Active Identifier” (AI), as defined above, such that a user can selfactivate a generic UMMAD simply by providing his unique PI and AIwithout requiring network activation. For example, a portable wirelessaccess device, such as a UMMAD, designed in accordance with the subjectinvention would have the capacity to reconfigure itself upon receipt ofa PI and AI of a subscriber. Using this feature, the user subscriberwould not be required to have his own UMMAD but could use any that mightbe available such as one that is dispensed from a vending machine at anairport or in a supper market. There would be no need to go to acellular equipment office for assignment of a new cellular telephone.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a system that willallow individual users to be assigned a single access identifier(personal telephone number) that would allow for automatic access to theuser regardless of the location of the user. In particular, all UMMAD'swould provide a continuous location indication to the nearest WBG toprovide the world wide communication grid information regarding thelocation and accessibility of the UMMAD user. Thus, as the user movesabout his home or office, only the closest WBG would announce anincoming call although the call might be answerable at any WBG throughthe UMMAD carried by the user. As the user enters his automobile, thenearest WBG might be a more powerful mobile cellular transceiver orWBG's located along the path of travel of the user. In the office, asthe UMMAD user moves about a building, the closest WBG would communicatewith the UMMAD or the UMMAD could be placed in a mode to receive allincoming calls wirelessly from the closest WBG to be answered throughthe UMMAD or the WBG which is the closest or becomes the closest as theuser approaches the WBG for the purpose of answering the phone. Thesystem would continually track the location of the user and route theincoming call to the user from the nearest WBG to insure that the useris alerted to an incoming call via the WBG that is best suited to meetthe user's preprogrammed desires (lowest cost, greatest security,strongest signal, greatest potential for long term connection, etc.).This feature of UMMAD would provide a “follow-me” capability that wouldallow the world wide communication grid to locate and provide callthrough put to all humans who chose to carry an UMMAD) having the“follow-me” capability. To avoid “big brother” aspects, each UMMAD couldbe equipped with a user activatable capability for disabling the “followme” functionality in which case the calling party could be invited toleave a message or be routed to another party or destination. Thecapability to disable the “follow me” capability could be multi-layeredincluding disability except for those who provide an additional accesscode, e.g. calls emanating from certain individuals (family members,boss, colleagues) or emanating from certain locations (home, office,friends homes, important customers, etc.) Additional layers of“follow-me” capability may be user de-activatable such as “locatability”by local law enforcement agencies except upon court order. The capacityto deactivate “locatability” could be a personal right (such as theright to privacy) except when that right has been forfeited byconviction of a crime that would otherwise subject a person to lawfulimprisonment. “Follow-me” capability that is not de-activatable couldbecome, so long as it satisfies constitutional requirements, analternative to incarceration.

Still another object of this invention is the capability of sending anencrypted signal that is only decipherable at a network server that hasbeen encoded with unique codes that are known solely to the UMMAD andthe network server. Signals that need to be secure (such as requests foraccess, funds transfer orders, secure telecommunication links emanatingfrom the UMMAD) would first be sent to the network server operated bythe system service provider, decoded and sent on to ultimatedestination. The network server would be empowered to effect accesscommands, transfer funds and carry out any other instructed functionsand the network service subscriber (UMMAD owner) would be held harmlessfrom liability.

Among the many advantages of this invention are that it would facilitateanytime, anywhere communication between all human beings who elect to beintegrated into the world wide communication grid. At the same time thesubject invention includes aspects that would preserve substantially thevalue of existing investment in wireless/landline infra-structure byallowing seamless, automated connection and transfer to theinfra-structure/network most economically capable of meeting the user'sneeds on a real time, transparent-to-the-user, basis. Other aspects ofthe invention will allow users to access all available communicationservices including financial with a minimal amount of access hassleassociated with providing access numbers, calling card numbers, personalidentification numbers, or other types of unique identificationprocesses. In addition, still other aspects of the invention will allowusers to be accessed through the use of a single telephone number thatallows a calling party to contact a centralized location registry whichwill know the location of every human who has been assigned a universaltelephone number and will direct that call to the closest fixed sitetransceiver (WBG) for most efficiently communicating with the user.

It is another advantage of the subject invention to simplify the processof accessing communication services by allowing all calls to beinitiated wirelessly and all calls to be received wirelessly wherever auser may travel. All users would have the ability to communicate withall other users who are enrolled in the system regardless of thecommunication service subscribed to.

Among other advantages derived from certain aspects of the disclosedinvention are that it will promote price/quality/technology competitionby allowing much freer access to available radio spectrum and far moreefficient use of available spectrum by forming layers (tiers) ofcommunications facilities with ever wider geographic coverage as thenext tier of the system is reached. The subject invention would causeall present communication service providers now using licensed radiospectrum to have an economic incentive to participate in an ever growingdegree of cooperation by which all communication services would belinked to all other communication services in a manner that would insurethe most efficient use of the radio spectrum into a world-wide grid inwhich the first tier would consist of micro-cells in which the radiospectrum assigned would be repeated over and over but at very low powerand low range to permit short range communication. The next tier wouldbe a geographically overlapping tier to which and from which calls couldbe transferred to permit re-connection of lost calls or transfer ofexisting communications links. For example, the invention would permitadaptation to slow movement (e.g. walking) by “intra-tier” “hand-off”from one micro-cell to another and to faster movement(automobile/train-travel) by “hand-up” from micro-cell to conventionalcellular (AMPS, digital TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, etc) or still fastermovement (e.g. plane travel) or more remote travel (e.g. ship travel) by“hand-up” to satellite communication (e.g. TELEDESIC).

The subject invention would allow communication links to be transferredautomatically to the system having the greatest possibility of handlingthe call in accordance with the needs/desires of the user bytransferring the connection link, real time, from one communicationservice provider to another and back again as the user'sneeds/circumstances (e.g. location or quality of connection) changes.Another advantage is that the invention would allow unique useridentification, simplification of use, billing simplicity, security andavailability. These advantages would all be achieved in varying degreeswhile preserving the value of existing infrastructure investment;increasing competition in technology, quality and cost; and promotinggreater efficiency and use of scarce radio spectrum.

Still another advantage of the disclosed invention is that it could havereal-time re-programmability of user preferences. For example, if duringa call, excessive interference is experienced, a button could be pushedthat would cause the UMMAD to search out another service provider whocould provide a stronger signal allowing the user to be switched to theother service provider to secure a better interference free connection.Alternatively, should a caller determine that after a call has beeninitiated that it is important to discuss highly sensitive informationrequiring secure communication, the user could provide an indication tothe UMMAD that the communication link should be switched to a servicethat would permit the communication to be encrypted for securitypurposes.

Other advantages include greatly simplified unique identification ofindividuals including unique combinations of identifiers that guaranteevirtually foolproof identification (e.g.-passive/active identifiers plusencryption) organized and implemented through a portable, hand heldUMMAD that allows increasingly sophisticated technology to be introducedto take advantage of existing infrastructure while providing to theultimate user the most optimal communication linkage to the world widetelecommunications grid.

Many other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the subjectinvention can be appreciated by a consideration of the followingDrawings and Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a tiered wireless, multi-modalaccess system designed in accordance with the subject invention.

FIG. 2A is a digitally controllable multi-modal transceiver designed inaccordance with the subject invention for use in the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is an input and control circuit for the transceiver of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The subject invention is designed to build on the concepts disclosed incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. '985 and '621 (the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference) by making the entire range oftelecommunications systems and services available with a minimum ofeffort and to provide systems and methods for automated techniques forassuring that all communications (whether voice or data or whetherlandline or wireless) are provided in a manner that best meets thefunctional desires of the user such as highest speed, highest clarity,least cost, least likelihood of interruption, highest security, or otherqualities or a combination of such qualities. The subject inventionsatisfies the urgent need for technology that will facilitate ease ofcommunication, over the world wide telecommunication grid, that bestmeets the needs of the user for the fastest, least expensive and mostreliable service. FIG. 1 illustrates a highly schematic illustration ofa world wide telecommunications system 2 designed and organized inaccordance with the subject invention. Because the subject invention isan integrative technology, much of the grid can include existingcommunications networks (both landland and wireless). For example,system 2 includes a large number of personally activatable multi-modal,portable access devices 4 (which can be denoted a Universal Multi-ModalAccess Device; UMMAD's) which have the ability to provide omni-modalaccess to a broad range of wireless service networks such as thosedisclosed in the '985 patent.

As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, each UMMAD 4 willinclude a frequency agile and protocol agile transceiver operating underdigital command signals of a digital controller and memory (which storescommunication protocol program sets or has the capability of receivingdownloaded program sets) to allow the UMMAD 4 to access any one of aplurality of wireless networks that may be available in the geographicarea within which the UMMAD 4 may be located. Because the transceiveroperates under digital signal command to adjust its operating frequencyand communication protocol to permit access to any available wirelessnetwork desired, the UMMAD 4 empowers its user to either manually orautomatically switch from one network to another in order to obtain adesired communication service. Moreover, the UMMAD 4 may be equippedwith multiple transceivers adapted specifically to wirelesslycommunicate in accordance with particular corresponding protocols suchas the BLUETOOTH protocol described at www.bluetooth.com and adapted forlow power, short distances or alternatively adapted for much, greaterpower and distances as required for certain communication links such assatellite based communication networks. Each UMMAD would further includethe capability of receiving wirelessly transmitted control signals forswitching the UMMAD from one communications network to anothercommunications network, even while a communication session, such as atelephone call or data download, is on going so that a session commencedon one network could be continued on another network as required toachieve the most economical and efficient use of available communicationresources.

By providing universal access to all communication networks that may beavailable at a given location or area within which a UMMAD is normallymoved, it will become possible to provide communication systems to allowthe most economically desirable allocation of infrastructure resourcesand to allow automation of the log-on procedures and of procedures fortransferring the communication link/service/network to achieve the mostefficient allocation of scarce radio spectrum. More particularly, it isan object of the subject invention to provide a system and method,including a business method, that is designed to harness market drivencompetition to promote innovation in telecommunication technology bygranting ready access to the world wide telecommunications grid throughefficient reallocation of scarce radio spectrum, automated uniqueidentification of individuals, and improved security of datatransmission.

To achieve the result described above, system 2 is provided with anarray of transceiver base stations or Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG) 6which are capable of operating over a broad range of frequencies andemploying a range of wireless protocols. Each of the WBG's includes allof the functional characteristics of a typical cellular system, fixedsite base station that is dedicated to a single system but modified withaugmented functionality allowing the station to provide a wide bandwidthgateway to telecommunications services via a short range, low powerwireless signal link similar to that of a cordless telephone. Such WBG's6, with augmented functionality, would form a wide bandwidth gateway toprovide connections with the Internet 8, PSTN 10, cable services 12, andother types of communication networks (not illustrated) through acommunication pathway 14 which may be a landline fiber optic cable orother type of communication trunk line. Any one of these communicationnetworks could operate to supply information to web sites through website hosting equipment 16.

As a UMMAD moves from one location to another, the communication linkcan be passed from one WBG to another and/or from one communicationsnetwork to another so long as the UMMAD remains within the geographicoperating area serviced by the WBG to which the UMMAD remains connected.As necessary the frequency and communications protocol under which thelinked together UMMAD and WBG are operating may be manually orautomatically changed. All of the WBG's 6 can be grouped together toform a grid of base stations serving a defined geographic area that ismade up of relatively small operating zones where lower broadcastingpower can be effectively used. For example WBG's could be designed tooperate at frequencies and with sufficiently low power to be essentiallyunregulated. This array of WBG's could thus be considered the lowestrung forming Tier 4 of the subject communications system 2. One type ofparticularly desirable low power wireless link for a UMMAD would be awireless transceiver operating in a accordance with the BLUETOOTHprotocol (disclosed at www.bluetooth.com for wireless communication ofdata and voice. Any other type of low power, short range wirelesscommunication link would also be suitable.

The next array of WBG's 18, forming Tier 3, is formed of WBG's havingconsiderably greater operating power and thus much greater geographiccoverage. An example of WBG's 18 would be the fixed base stations of oneor more cellular systems, that is WBG's 18 may be part of one cellularnetwork or may be the base stations of multiple different cellularnetworks operating at different frequencies and/or on differentcommunications protocols. The WBG's 18 would form the next tier, Tier 3,to which a particular call could be “handed-up” as discussed in moredetail below. Tier 2 would be formed by fixed site wireless basestations WBG's 20 covering still greater geographic areas operating ondifferent frequencies normally at much greater signal strength and ondiffering communication protocols. Finally the first tier, Tier 1; willbe formed of one or more WBG's 22 that may take the form of a very widearea station such as a communication satellite.

The system 2 illustrated in FIG. 1, when fully implemented, will providethe capability of efficiently and automatically identifying individualsseeking access or service over the world wide telecommunications grid.In particular, system 2 can be operated to facilitate automated uniqueidentification of individuals. Still more particularly theidentification can occur in a manner that is highly secure in that itaffords little chance for unauthorized or fraudulent misuse of thesystem while also placing the user in full control of the process toavoid misuse by others such as governmental agencies that might abusethe user's right of privacy. Only by providing unique identification,without substantial risk of unauthorized or fraudulent access, can thefull potential of important parts of the world wide telecommunicationsgrid, such as the full potential of the internet for e-commerce.

System 2 can be further organized to provide other importantfunctionality such as cradle to grave, anytime/anywhere interlinking ofhuman consciousness via means which maintains and respects the right ofprivacy of every human being to remain unique and capable of exercisingfree will including the freedom of thought. More particularly, byorganizing the system properly all human consciousness can be morenearly interlinked via a system that provides users with the greatestpossible interconnectedness and with all electronically accessibleknowledge without compromising the uniqueness, right of privacy, freedomof thought and free will of the individual users. This additionaladvantage of system 2 can be achieved by affording the ability to eachUMMAD 4 to uniquely identify its user as will be discussed in moredetail below.

As will be described more fully below, an important part of the systemillustrated in FIG. 1 is the universal system traffic controller 21.This subsystem would perform the important function of enabling acommunication link established between any particular UMMAD and WBG tobe switched to another communication link between the UMMAD and anotherWBG or the same WBG reconfigured to operated on another protocol. Thiscould take the form of enabling (or permitting) the UMMAD to reconfigureitself to operate on a different communication channel (for example at adifferent frequency or range of frequencies) and/or on a differentcommunication protocol. The details of design and operation of apractical WBG is described below.

As is well known in cellular telecommunications technology, a mobilewireless handset can be “handed-off” between fixed site base stations asa result, for example, of system load or movement of the mobile handsetbetween geographic regions. Such hand-off can also occur to cause a dataor voice communication to change frequencies over which communicationsare conducted. Such frequency change can occur alone or in combinationwith a change in the fixed site equipment servicing the call. Thecellular system may implement such a hand-off through the use of acontrol channel separate form the channel used for data or voicecommunications. In such case, system control information is passedacross this control channel to coordinate a change in frequency betweenfixed site equipment and a mobile wireless handset. In addition, wherethe hand-off further includes a change in the fixed site equipmentservicing the communication, the communication pathway is appropriatelyre-routed to the newly assigned fixed site equipment to ensure seamlesscommunications.

As noted above, each WBG 6 could include fixed cell site equipment for asingle cellular communication system operating on a predeterminedfrequency band using a first protocol or could include equipment for aplurality of cellular communication systems operating on differentfrequency ranges and with different frequency protocols. In such aninstance, the hand-off procedure can become more complex. That is, wherea mobile wireless handset is transitioned (i.e. “handed-off”) betweencellular communication systems operating using differing infrastructure,the use of single control channel to coordinate the hand-off can beimpossible. For example, in accordance with the present invention, amobile wireless handset is transitioned from a first cellularcommunications system using, for example, a TDMA modulation protocol andoperating using a first control channel for system control informationto a second cellular communications system using, for example, CDMAmodulation protocol and operating using a second control channel forsystem control information. In such case, not only must the mobilewireless handset be capable of communicating control information withthe first cellular communications system, but it must also be capable ofcommunicating control information with the second cellularcommunications system. Where these system have significant differencesin operation, the mobile wireless handset may have to simultaneouslymaintain two separate and distinct system control channels to ensure aseamless transition between the systems.

Furthermore, where the fixed cell site equipment is capable ofhanding-off a communication between different frequencies of fixed siteequipment operating within the same cellular communications system, suchequipment is not currently intended to transition such calls betweendiffering communications systems. Furthermore, a seamless transitionbetween such differing system is currently unknown.

In accordance with the present invention, a universal system trafficcontroller 21 is provided as shown in FIG. 1. The universal systemtraffic controller 21 operates to overcome the deficiencies noted and toseamlessly transition a communications between cellular communicationssystems using differing infrastructure and operating characteristics,such as modulation protocol or system control information data formatSpecifically, universal system traffic controller 21 operates to receiveand monitor system control information for two or more disparatecommunications networks and to coordinate this information betweennetworks to seamlessly transition a communications. Universal systemtraffic controller 21 could independently communicate directly with amobile wireless handset, or UMMAD 4, or could indirectly receive thisinformation from fixed site cellular equipment operating in connectionwith each of two or more disparate communications networks.

In operation, universal system traffic controller 21 acts in a fashionsimilar to that known for single system communications, but includescross-platform support for transition communications across differingsystems. The universal system traffic controller is capable of receivingand transmitting system control information using a plurality ofdiffering modulation frequency/protocol combinations as necessitated bythe communications system being served by the traffic controller 21.Upon detection that a wireless mobile handset requires transition fromone system to another, the universal system traffic controller 21coordinates this transfer by issuing appropriate system control commandsto the disparate communications systems to maintain communications withthe wireless mobile handset during this procedure.

As discussed previously, the wireless mobile handset may be anomni-modal device as described in the '985 patent. This handset includesthe ability to transition between one or more operating protocols andfrequencies for communication. In the present invention such a handsetcould be employed and would operate in combination with the universalsystem traffic controller to transition from one communications systemor network, to another communications system or network without droppinga voice or data communication.

Universal system traffic controller 21 also operates to coordinatetransfer of the remote connection between communications systems asrequired to seamlessly maintain a communication. In other words,universal system traffic controller 21 may re-route a wirelineconnection from one communications system to another to facilitate thewireless transition by the wireless mobile handset. In this fashion,universal system traffic controller 21 can serve to completelytransition a communication from a first communications system to asecond communications system at any time such transition is consideredto be appropriate.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B wherein the internalorganization of a UMMAD is illustrated although many alternativearrangements would be possible depending on what combination offunctions, features and advantages of the subject invention it isdesired to afford to a user. More particularly FIG. 2A discloses a radiocommunications RF circuit 23 which has all of the same components andfunctional characteristics of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 1A of U.S.Pat. No. 5,854,985. More particularly, FIG. 2a includes an RF circuithaving an antenna 24, diplexer 26, amplifier 28, transmit mixer 30,receiver mixer 32, programmable local oscillator 34, modulation selectorswitches 36 and 38, analog detector-demodulator 40, digital demodulator42, analog modulator 44, digital modulator 46, voice grade channeloutput 48, digital output 50, voice grade channel input 52 and digitalinput 54 all of which are organized and function in accordance with thedescription of the '985 patent.

Similarly, the circuit of FIG. 2B discloses the input and controlcircuit 56 for the RF circuit 23. This control circuit includes all ofthe components and functional characteristics of the circuit illustratedin FIG. 1B of U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,985. More particularly, circuit 56includes speaker 58, microphone 60, voice processing circuitry 62,digital to analog converter 64, analog to digital converter 66, firstselection switch 68, microprocessor 70, memory 72, data input 74, dataoutput 76, data processing circuit 78, second selector switch 80 andmodem 82. The remaining components shown in FIG. 2B are connected andfunction as described in the '985 patent.

An important difference in the circuit illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2Bcompared with the circuit of FIGS. 1A and 1B of the '985 patent is theway in which the microprocessor is programmed, via a program stored inmemory 72, or temporarily downloaded into memory 72 via a wireless linkestablished by the circuit of FIGS. 2A and 2B. In particular, theprogram is written to implement the functionality described in thisdescription of the subject invention. In particular, the program willenable the UMMAD to reconfigure itself to operate over any one of theavailable wireless service networks in order to reconnect a lostcommunication session (voice or data) either on the same service networkor over an alternative network as commanded by the Universal SystemTraffic Controller (USTC) 21. In particular, the USTC 21 will maintain alog of on-going communication sessions so that upon premature loss of awireless link between a UMMAD and a wirelessly linked WBG, acommunication link may be re-established either over the same network ora separate network with the same WBG, another WBG in the same Tier or aWBG within another Tier. As required the UMMAD whose communication linkhas been prematurely disconnected can be commanded to re-configureitself to communicate through another network using a different wirelesscommunication channel at a different frequency and using a differentcommunication protocol in order to complete the service desired by theuse, e.g. voice communication, data transfer, geo-position signaling,control function updating, etc. Moreover, as described more fully below,the program within memory 72 may operate to recognize signals providedover a control channel set up by the program to receive, process and actupon commands provided to the UMMAD whereby communication links can betransferred from one wireless service to another wireless service

Thus, each UMMAD would include the capability to auto-reconfigure itstransceiver, to be compatible with the wide band gateway (WBG) to whichit is linked so that it can respond to a request for service from aUMMAD within its limited service area by sending a request for linkageover its landline connection to the requested service provider and byestablishing a local wireless communication channel that is bothavailable and compatible with the capability of the UMMAD to interactwith the WBG as necessary to provide to the user the requested service.In this configuration the WBG would operate much like a wall mountedcordless telephone unit by extending a communication link to the UMMADover a communication channel determined to be available at extremely lowpower and using a protocol that is both consistent with the servicerequested and consistent with the capability of the UMMAD to interactwith the WBG. As the UMMAD is moved about or as the communicationchannel established by the WBG is no longer operable (due to movement ofthe UMMAD out of range of the WBG or because the assigned channel isotherwise necessary for optimal service to another UMMAD user within theservice area of the WBG), the wireless communication link would behanded off to another WBG or to a higher level wireless service stationhaving an overlapping service area. This feature illustrates theadvantage of equipping wireless service users with UMMAD type portableaccess devices since the interlinkage of wireless service users within agiven geographic location would greatly facilitate the optimal use ofthe available radio spectrum and would further facilitate optimalre-allocation of scarce radio spectrum to produce the optimal level ofservice to the greatest number of users.

A special advantage of creating UMMADs having the capabilities discussedin relation to the circuits of FIGS. 2A and 2B are that they would beable to be switched from one Tier to another as illustrated in FIG. 1.As noted above, the various tiers of wireless service serving a givengeographic area could be arranged so that successive tiers could serveever greater geographic areas so that the first tier would providewireless service to the greatest geographic area and the last tier wouldprovide wireless service to the smallest geographic area. For example ina multi-tiered system, a wireless connection provided, for examplewithin one tier, could have associated with it a higher level tier as analternative such that upon loss of the wireless link, the user would beautomatically shifted to a substitute wireless link via an alternativecommunication service that will have the capacity to re-establish thelost connection by (a) finding the location of the user whose call waslost, and (b) re-establishing the last connection to that personautomatically through an alternative communication channel providingwireless service to the same geographic area in which the user islocated. In a multi-tier system having a population of UMMAD users, eachUMMAD would be capable of interacting with any one of the tiers within agiven geographic level and would be automatically transferable eitherwithin a tier or from tier to tier depending on changes in thecommunication link (caused, for example by movement of the user orchanges in interference pattern affecting the communication link) orre-allocation of the communication links to bring about a more optimalutilization of the communication networks for the greatest number ofusers.

Another important aspect of the subject invention is that each of theWBG's as described would be designed to create gateways to any availablecommunication service wherein each WBG would be linked by an extremelybroadband connection such as fiber optic cables 9 illustrated in FIG. 1.Each WBG would be provided with wireless communication capability toreach all UMMAD's that may be within operative range of the WBG. Withthis arrangement, the various UMMAD's could be directed to communicateover the channel that provides the desired service using the mosteffective communication protocol via the lowest possible tier capable ofcompleting the link to a UMMAD which in turn is capable of providing theservice desired by the UMMAD user. Alternatively, the wirelesscommunication system could use a WBG at a higher tier because that WBGis better suited to provide the type of service (most secure, highestquality, lowest price, strongest strength signal, least likely to beinterrupted, etc.). Examples of the type of service that could be madeavailable to an UMMAD over a wireless communication link from a WBGwould be telephone communication, internet connection, broadcasttelevision, cable television, radio, weather, news, sports information,airline schedules and other types of video/audio signals.

The configuration of a WBG would be similar to existing fixed site, basestations for servicing wireless networks having a transceiver designedto operate at the frequency and using the communication protocolappropriate for the wireless network, eg. AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSM etc.Each WBG however would have the capacity to switch a wirelesscommunication channel or call to a different system. This function couldbe accomplished by providing a frequency agile, protocol agiletransceiver operable under digital control to switch from onecommunication protocol to another utilizing circuitry of the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,985. Alternatively, each WBG could beequipped with separate transceivers appropriate for each wirelessnetwork to service all UMMAD's within the relevant geographic areaserved by the WBG and capable of communicating using the correspondingprotocol.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, all WBG's would be connected by landline orwireless communication channel to a Universal System Traffic Controller21.

Dynamic Auto-Reconfigurable WBG's and UMMADS

To achieve the most efficient utilization of scarce radio spectrum andto maximize the communication capability of existing telecommunicationinfra structure, the following capabilities could to be built intointeractive reprogrammable UMMAD'S and compatible high bandwidth WBG'sas described above but modified to provide additional functionality asdescribed below. More particularly, the individual UMMAD'S would bebuilt with the capability of being reconfigurable in terms of frequencyagility and protocol agility to communicate utilizing any existingwireless service available in a given geographic location. The necessarydata set needed to access this service could be resident in the portableUMMAD or could be made available via a wireless download of the protocolfrom the wireless service using a standardize/dedicatedcommunication/control channel and/or from a second traffic managingportal having general traffic controlling functions. Once configured toallow for optimal communication the communication link could be modifiedby change in the user's desires, location or external communicationconditions or alternatively, the traffic managing portal could cause theUMMAD'S to be reconfigured based on shifts in overall demands made onthe telecommunications infrastructure under management by the portalcontroller. The reconfiguration of the various systems would be based onthe following considerations:

The capacity of a given UMMAD to be switched to a more suitablefrequency and/or protocol via a resident capability orre-configureability from downloading of data sets from the WBG oranother WBG under the control of the first WBG,

Changes in the type of service desired by the user based on changes inlocation, type of service needed, external conditions (weather etc)

Changes in aggregate demand placed on the telecommunicationinfrastructure serving a given region that require reallocation ofcommunication links to provide additional capacity in certain types ofcommunication to best satisfy the aggregate demand in accordance with apredetermined hierarchy involving (1) public safety, (2) governmentalfunction, (3) high cost/revenue security channels, (4) etc

Capability of the managing WBG to control the existing infra-structureor shift presently connected UMMAD's to another wireless serviceprovider in order to increase total system capacity.

Taking control of the “last mile” connection is the essence of thissystem's capabilities. This control is effected via reallocation andmaximum utilization of wireless connections to provide individuals withaccess to the desired service via the nearest WBG having the existingcapability or reconfigurable capability to service the UMMAD user givenits capabilities or reconfigurable capability.

The Bluetooth type of wireless communication can be implemented atvarying levels. For example the protocol can be implemented to untetherdevices by replacing cables with a wireless link. On a more complexlevel the BLUETOOTH wireless link may be used to provide a universalbridge to existing data networks, a peripheral interface, and amechanism to form small private ad hoc groupings of connected devicesaway from fixed network infrastructures. BLUETOOTH technology isdescribed extensively at www.bluetooth.com and the information describedtherein is incorporated by reference.

Another important aspect of this invention in terms of achieving itsfull potential is its ability to greatly simplify location and uniqueidentification of individuals to allow quicker, less complicated accessto electronically available services of all types. This improvementwould employ a unique combination of identifiers of individual users ofboth a “passive” type and an “active” type. For example each UMMAD couldbe provided with apparatus for uniquely identifying individuals by a“Passive Identification” PI combined with an “Active Identification” AI.PI relies upon the fact that a human is uniquely identified by hisgenetic make up which may be directly measured (e.g. through DNAtesting) or which is reflected in unique, measurable characteristicssuch as retina prints, finger prints, and other physical/functionalcharacteristics which may be altered only with great difficulty or notat all. This type of unique human quality can be considered a “passiveidentifier” since no evidence of consciousness or free will is requiredfor the human identifier to be measured. AI relies upon the fact that ahuman also possesses a sense of separateness or consciousness thatseparates him from all other humans. This characteristic findsexpression in freedom of thought and in the exercise of free will whichcan be employed for unique identification but it requires an act of willon the part of the individual e.g. the individual is required to producea PIN or issue a voice command. Thus this type of identification can beconsidered an active identifier i.e. it requires an active expression ofwill on the part of the human being identified.

UMMAD's may be equipped with a PI sensor in the form of a DNA sensor foridentifying, in substantially real time, the identity of an individual.The sensor could take a variety of forms such as forming part of theUMMAD so that the UMMAD would not activate unless held by the personwhose DNA is sensed by a sensor made part of the UMMAD. Alternatively,the DNA sensor could be made part of an implantable sensor that iscapable of communicating with the UMMAD through electrodes, activesignal, passive transponder technology or identification could occur bysecondary DNA determined tests such as finger print sensing, retinascans, or other unique physical identification of the individual.

A UMMAD designed in accordance with the subject invention could have thecapacity to become activated only when a user provides it with hisunique “Passive Identifier” (PI) and his “Active Identifier” (AI), asdefined above, such that a user can self activate a generic UMMAD simplyby providing his unique PI and AI without requiring network activation.For example, a portable wireless access device, such as a UMMAD,designed in accordance with the subject invention would have thecapacity to reconfigure itself upon receipt of a PI and AI of asubscriber. Using this feature, the user subscriber would not berequired to have his own UMMAD but could use any that might be availablesuch as one that is dispensed from a vending machine at an airport or ina supper market. There would be no need to go to a cellular equipmentoffice for assignment of a new cellular telephone.

UMMAD's designed as described above will allow individual users to beassigned a single access identifier (personal telephone number) thatwould allow for automatic access to the user regardless of the locationof the user. In particular, all UMMAD's would provide a continuouslocation indication to the nearest WBG to provide the world widecommunication grid information regarding the location and accessibilityof the UMMAD user. Thus, as the user moves about his home or office,only the closest WBG would announce an incoming call although the callmight be answerable at any WBG through the UMMAD carried by the user. Asthe user enters his automobile, the nearest WBG might be a more powerfulmobile cellular transceiver or WBG's located along the path of travel ofthe user. In the office, as the UMMAD user moves about a building, theclosest WBG would communicate with the UMMAD or the UMMAD could beplaced in a mode to receive all incoming calls wirelessly from theclosest WBG to be answered through the UMMAD or the WBG which is theclosest or becomes the closest as the user approaches the WBG for thepurpose of answering the phone. The system would continually track thelocation of the user and route the incoming call to the user from thenearest WBG to insure that the user is alerted to an incoming call viathe WBG that is best suited to meet the user's preprogrammed desires(lowest cost, greatest security, strongest signal, greatest potentialfor long term connection, etc.). This feature of UMMAD would provide a“follow-me” capability that would allow the world wide communicationgrid to locate and provide call through put to all humans who chose tocarry an UMMAD having the “follow-me” capability. To avoid “big brother”aspects, each UMMAD could be equipped with a user activatable capabilityfor disabling the “follow me” functionality in which case the callingparty could be invited to leave a message or be routed to another partyor destination. The capability to disable the “follow me” capabilitycould be multi-layered including disability except for those who providean additional access code, e.g. calls emanating from certain individuals(family members, boss, colleagues) or emanating from certain locations(home, office, friends homes, important customers, etc.) Additionallayers of “follow-me” capability may be user de-activatable such as“locatability” by local law enforcement agencies except upon courtorder. The capacity to deactivate “locatability” could be a personalright (such as the right to privacy) except when that right has beenforfeited by conviction of a crime that would otherwise subject a personto lawful imprisonment. “Follow-me” capability that is notde-activatable could become, so long as it satisfies constitutionalrequirements, an alternative to incarceration.

UMMAD's designed in accordance with this invention could be equippedwith the capability of sending an encrypted signal that is onlydecipherable at a network server that has been encoded with unique codesthat are known solely to the UMMAD and the network server. Signals thatneed to be secure (such as requests for access, funds transfer orders,secure telecommunication links emanating from the UMMAD) would first besent to the network server operated by the system service provider,decoded and sent on to ultimate destination. The network server would beempowered to effect access commands, transfer funds and carry out anyother instructed functions and the network service subscriber (UMMADowner) would be held harmless from liability.

FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OVER THE INTERNET FACILITATED BY ACCURATE ANDUNIQUE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS

A major impediment to wide acceptance of the internet as a medium forfinancial transactions is the inability of individuals to inexpensivelyand accurately identify themselves via a system that simultaneouslyavoids the danger that a participating individual would be subject tofraudulent misappropriation of his assets or that would encouragecoercive action against a participating individual.

Achievement of this desirable result will require solutions to a numberof difficult technical problems. For example, a need exists for aportable, repeatable, unique, substantially foolproof identification ofindividuals at a relatively inexpensive cost. This functionality couldbe achieved by a providing to augmented capabilities to a UMMAD type ofdevice. Development of a system that complies with existing UCCrequirements (or obvious analogs thereof) to permit negotiableinstrument, demand deposit orders to be created. For example, an UMMADowner could take his device to a retail outlet and establish acommunication link to the network service provider through a Bluetoothconnection to a WBG operated by the retail outlet. The retail outlet.The retail outlet would access the network system server through alandline connection and send both the results of the passive and/oractive identifiers to the network server to secure networkauthentication over a separate encrypted link back to the retail outletincluding identification of the UMMAD user which could be printed out toallow the user to be sure that he was accurately identified. Theretailer could then request the user to authorize funds transfer to theretail outlet's bank account which the user could authorize via anon-secure link to the retail outlet WBG and simultaneously via anencrypted link to the network server which could then be transmitted tothe retail outlet. Upon verification of the results from both the UMMADserver to the UMMAD and to the retail outlet via the retail portal, atransaction receipt could be printed in duplicate and signed by theuser, one copy to the user and one copy to the retail outlet with atransaction number sent in encrypted form to the user for recordation inhis UMMAD memory over one secure channel, and to the retail portal forrecordation in the retail outlet's memory and to the receipt printer forrecordation on the receipt. Via this technique, the transaction willhave been properly recorded in the user's memory, in the networkserver's memory and on paper to be maintained by the user and the retailoutlet. This same approach could be implemented via the internet fore-commerce purposes by allowing the transaction to be implemented via apersonal computer that has a docking station for the UMMAD with thepersonal computer being the retail outlet's portal. Similarly thePersonal Computer could be used to access a web site for services.

While a number of practical applications for the subject invention havebeen discussed above, many alternative embodiments, variations,applications and changes are apparent. In addition several practicalmethods of doing business based on the apparatus and methods of thisinvention have been disclosed above. If this invention is widelyadopted, it could have profound effects on the degree to which humanscan, freely and easily communicate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A network device comprising: a receiverconfigured to receive, via a wireless network to which a portablewireless device is currently connected, first information regarding acapability of the portable wireless device to independently switchwireless networks; a processor configured to generate second informationregarding at least one available wireless network; and a transmitterconfigured to transmit the second information regarding the at least oneavailable wireless network, to the portable wireless device via thewireless network to which the portable wireless device is currentlyconnected, to enable the portable wireless device to independentlyswitch to an available wireless network based on the informationregarding the at least one available wireless network.
 2. The networkdevice of claim 1, wherein the receiver is further configured to receivelocation information of the portable wireless device, and the secondinformation regarding the at least one available wireless networks isbased on at least the location information of the portable wirelessdevice.
 3. The network device of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to generate third information regarding preferenceinformation associated with the at least one available wireless network,and the transmitter is further configured to transmit the thirdinformation to the portable wireless device via the wireless network towhich the portable wireless device is currently connected, to enable theportable wireless device to independently switch to a preferredavailable wireless network.
 4. The network device of claim 1, whereinthe at least one available wireless network is of a different airinterface type as the wireless network to which the portable wirelessdevice is currently connected.
 5. A method for use in a network device,the method comprising: receiving, via a wireless network to which aportable wireless device is currently connected, first informationregarding a capability of the portable wireless device to independentlyswitch wireless networks; generating second information regarding atleast one available wireless network; and transmitting the secondinformation regarding the at least one available wireless networks, tothe portable wireless device via the wireless network to which theportable wireless device is currently connected, to enable the portablewireless device to independently switch to an available wireless networkbased on the information regarding the at least one available wirelessnetwork.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: receivinglocation information of the portable wireless device, and the secondinformation regarding the at least one available wireless networks isbased on at least the location information of the portable wirelessdevice.
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: generating thirdinformation regarding preference information associated with the atleast one available wireless network; and transmitting the thirdinformation to the portable wireless device via the wireless network towhich the portable wireless device is currently connected, to enable theportable wireless device to switch to a preferred available wirelessnetwork.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one availablewireless network is of a different air interface type as the wirelessnetwork to which the portable wireless device is currently connected. 9.A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a set ofinstructions for use in a network device, the set of instructionscomprising: first instructions for receiving, via a wireless network towhich a portable wireless device is currently connected, firstinformation regarding a capability of the portable wireless device toindependently switch wireless networks; second instructions forgenerating second information regarding at least one available wirelessnetwork; and third instructions for transmitting the second informationregarding at least one available wireless networks, to the portablewireless device via the wireless network to which the portable wirelessdevice is currently connected, to enable the portable wireless device toindependently switch to an available wireless network based on theinformation regarding the at least one available wireless networks. 10.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 furthercomprising, fourth instructions for receiving location information ofthe portable wireless device, and the second information regarding theat least one available wireless network is based on at least thelocation information of the portable wireless device.
 11. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9, furthercomprising: fifth instructions for generating third informationregarding preference information associated with the at least oneavailable wireless network; and sixth instructions for transmitting thethird information to the portable wireless device via the wirelessnetwork to which the portable wireless device is currently connected, toenable the portable wireless device to switch to a preferred availablewireless network.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 9, wherein the at least one available wireless networkis of a different air interface type as the wireless network to whichthe portable wireless device is currently connected.